Notes from the South West Grant Holder Gathering discussions

Friday 8 May 2015 in Exeter

Suggestions for taking forward the SW network

There was an appetite to continue discussions through the YM network as well as meeting face to face around particular topics. Everyone in the room agreed to share their contact details in order to share practice and collaborate further.

Three discussion groups were formed on the day focusing on:

  • Open Access music making with young people
  • Early Years
  • SEND

Brief notes from each group follow below. A concern for future sustainability and capacity also arose here and at other gatherings. I will share contacts and specialisms of YM grant holders in the SW to those who give their permission. May I suggest that you decide amongst yourselves how you might like to proceed? However, things you could do:

Action

1Offer to host a meeting to follow up suggestions around:

a)shared CPD for workforce and training needs analysis

b)pathways/progression opportunities for young people

c)any other topic

2 Offer to take part in peer evaluation

3 Offer to share resources e.g. teaching aids and evaluation tools

4Be a critical friend and offer to observe a session / provide informal training around a particular area

5Ask for support around a particular area

6Blog, publicise events and invite people to join you on the YM Network and YM Discussion Group

Open access group

Issues:

  • Attendance when participant’s self-select from range of activities
  • Retaining interest
  • Potential lack of freedom
  • Lack of community engagement
  • Geographical distance
  • Plans not matching reality
  • Overstretched teams – where to find funding for capacity building/ training
  • Hard to create contacts/networks

Solutions:

  • Sharing practice days
  • Sharing skilled workers
  • Stream pathways days / develop collaborative careers events / progression routes
  • Offering cross city/ regional training for music leaders

Early Years group

  • Facebook page for South West Early Years group
  • Training – potential for pooling CPD resources.
  • Needs analysis - Blog to ask needs. Lobby hub leads.
  • Alison Harmer offered training
  • Suggestions to shadow/observe each other’s practice.
  • Share learning video/ blog BSharp Resources.org
  • Signing for deaf
  • Share working with parents – tend to be self conscious, engage them earlier by talking to them pre-session
  • Ninja observation (?)
  • Ask parents to video their child in setting and home.
  • Play work – multi activity including music
  • Musical picnic – menu options of different instruments
  • Research EY OFSTED requirements related to music
  • Local authorities have advisory teachers and SLT (Speech and language teachers). Contact for referrals, target groups and resources.
  • AP – Songbook Resource maybe shared.

SEND group

Strengths:

  • Working with established projects over 4 years lead in, researchand connecting
  • Academic backing
  • User-led
  • Ambassadors
  • Network
  • Developing resources and training

Risks:

  • Losing focus over 3 years dilution
  • Paying music leaders on benefits
  • Recruitment / people becoming “too old”

Problems:

  • Transient population – need consistency and flexibility
  • Pitching activities to suit the needs of the group – need informal/ formal/ non formal to cover all routes to engagement
  • In school interventions can be disruptive
  • Challenges:
  • Coherent evaluation not just involving one member of staff
  • Capacity of management of financial aspects and admin of large scale projects
  • Support staff – getting on board
  • Engaging Senior Management Teams in schools

14052015